Recoiling barrel operated pivoted loading tray mechanism



RECOILING BARREL OPERATED PIVOTED LOADING TRAY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17,1954 H. W. ALDRIN Dec. 23, 1958 Dec. 23, 1958 H. w. ALDR'IN RECOILINGBARREL OPERATED PIVOTED LOADING TRAY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1954Fig.2

Fig.3

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/VVINI'OR I f/awvr Mum-.4 6 40/91 firromvif H. W.ALDRIN Dec. 23, 1958 RECOILING BARREL OPERATED PIVOTED LOADING TRAYMECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v m MR NQMMR W m N 1,4.0 M Mr M8 M H Dec. 23, 1958 H. w. ALDRIN 2,855,254

RECOILING BARREL OPERATED PIVOTED LOADING TRAY MECHANISM Filed Sept; 17,1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [N VENTOR HEN)? Y M. HEL M /94 DIP/N RECOILINGBARREL OPERATED PIVOTED LOADING TRAY MECHANISM Henry Wilhelm Aldrin,Bofors, Sweden, assignor to Altticbolag Bot'ors, Bofors, Sweden, acorporation of Sweden Application September 17, 1954, Serial No. 456,664Claims priority, application Sweden October 1, 1953 3 Claims. (Cl,89-45) H V The present invention relates to a loading tray arrangementfor a firearm especially a recoiling gun, and more particularly torecoiling guns mounted on wheels or tracks.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedloading tray arrangement for guns of the general type above referred to,which permits loading of the gun in any elevational position of thebarrel thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedloading tray arrangement suitable for coaction with a cartridge magazinewithout requiring to lower or raise the magazine jointly with the gunbarrel. Such an arrangement affords the advantage that the total weightof the components to be raised or lowered jointly with the gun barrel isgreatly reduced.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedloading tray arrangement in which the recoil movement of the barrelautomatically moves the tray from the ramming position into the loadingposition and in which the loading of a shell automatically returns thetray into the ramming position for purpose of ramming a loaded shell.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims formingpart of the application.

In the accompanying drawings several preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view, partly in section, of a loading trayarrangement according to the invention showing the tray in its rammingposition.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view, partly in section, similarly to Fig. 1 butshowing the tray in its loading position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of locking means for releasablyretaining the tray in its loading position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detailed view of locking means for releasablyretaining a shell inserted in the loading tray.

Fig. 5 is an isometric diagrammatic view of a loading tray arrangementaccording to the invention showing the loading tray equipped withcartridge deflecting means in its ramming position.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 5 showin the tray and thecartridge deflecting means in the loading position.

Fig. 7 is an isometric diagrammatic view of a loading tray arrangementaccording to the invention and of a modification of the cartridgedeflecting means, the tray being shown in its ramming position, and

Fig. 8 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the tray inthe loading position.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, these figures show arecoiling gun barrel 1 ending in a breech ring 19. The breech end of thebarrel is slidably mounted in a jacket composed of parts 2 and 3. Jacketpart 3 mounts 2,865,254 Patented Dec. 23, 1958 two ring sectors 4 whichare guided in guide tracks 7 on cradle carriers 5 and 6. Ring sectors 4and guide tracks 7 serve to pivot the gun barrel and its jacket forelevation and depression of the gun, the pivot axis of the barrel beingcoaxial with the axis of loading tray 13 when the same is in theposition shown in Fig. 2. To facilitate the pivotal movement of the gunbarrel, balls, rollers or needles may be fitted between sectors 4 andtracks 7.

The top wall of jacket part 3 supports a sleeve 8 through which a shaft9 is extended. There is further provided coaxially with shaft 9 ahousing 10 within which a spiral spring 11 is disposed. One end of thespring is secured to shaft 9 and the other to housing 10. The end ofshaft 9 within jacket part 3 mounts a jacket sleeve 12 in which theloading tray 13 is fitted which is shown as a cylindrical tube. Tray 13may either occupy the position of Fig. 1 which is the ramming positionof the tray or the position of Fig. 2 which is the loading position ofthe tray. For purpose of ramming a shell inserted in the tray, the trayis slotted at 14. A rammer 15 may enter the tray by means of the slot.Rammer 15 is axially slidable on a'bar 16 one end of which is secured toa bracket 17 extending from the top wall of jacket part 3 and the otherto the front wall of jacket part 3. A spring 18 serves to actuate therammer. The arrangement and the actuation of the rammer are conventionaland a detailed description thereof is not essential for theunderstanding of the invention.

Breech ring 19 mounts a camming plate 21 having a cam way 22 coactingwith a cam roller 23. Roller 23 is mounted on an arm 24 ending in ashaft 25 pivotally supported in the top wall of jacket part 3. Shaft 25has secured thereto a curved arm 26 pivotally linked to jacket sleeve 12and hence to tray 13.

Jacket sleeve 12 and tray 13 both have a cut-out 27 so disposed that thecut-out together with a cradle like extension 20 of breech ring 19 formsan ejection path for an ejected cartridge case when the loading tray isin the loading postion of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1, a shell is shown inserted in the loading tray, the projectilebeing designated by 28 and the cartridge case by 29. For purpose ofloading the tray through jacket part 3, an opening 3a is provided in theappro priate wall of jacket part 3. The diameter of this opening shouldbe at least equal to the inner diameter of loading tray 13.

In order releasably to retain the loading tray in the loading positionof Fig. 2 and in alignment with loading opening 311, a releasablelocking device is provided. This locking device is shown in detail inFig. 3 but for reason of clarity of illustration omitted in Figs. 1 and2. It is mounted on a bracket 30 extending from tray 13 and comprises acatch 32 pivoted to bracket 30 by a pivot pin 31. Catch 32 extendsthrough a hole 37 in a plate 37a fixedly secured to bracket 30 and isengageable with the respective edge of plate 37a as can be clearly seenin Fig. 3. A spring 33 urges catch 32 into engagement with plate 37a. Anarm 34 is on one end pivoted to catch 32 and on the other end linked toa bell crank 35 pivoted at 36 to tray 13. In the catch position of catch32 the respective arm of hell crank 35 extends into tray 13 and hencethe path of a cartridge casing 29 placed in tray 13.

The end of tray 13 mounting the locking device of Fig. 3 mounts a secondreleasable locking device. 0nd locking device is shown in detail in Fig.4 but omitted in Figs. 1 and 2 for reason of clarity of illustration.

The second locking device comprises a spring housing 38 fixedly securedto tray 13 and slidably housing a plunger ending in a catch 39. A spring41 urges catch 39 into the position shown in Fig. 4 in which the catchThis secabuts against the bottom rim of a cartridge case 29 inserted inthe tray thereby preventing an axial rearward movement of the cartridgecase out of the tray. A nut 40 serves to retain the plunger and itscatch within spring housing 38. The second locking device furthercomprises a sleeve housing 42 in which a plunger 43, is urged by aspring 44 against one arm of a two-arm lever 45 pivoted to tray 13 by apivot pin 46. The lever arm coacting with plunger 43 is biased into aposition in which it engages the forward edge of the base rim of thecartridge case thereby preventing a forward or ramming movement of thelatter. The other end of lever 45 coacts with a release bar 47 whichshould be visualized as being disposed near the ramming device and ascoming into engagement with lever 45 when the loading tray is moved intoits ramming position as will be more fully explained hereinafter.Engagement of lever 45 with release bar 47 pivots the lever in clockwisedirection against the action of spring 44 thereby releasing thecartridge case for the ramming operation.

- As is evident from the previous description, the design of the lockingdevices of Figs. 3 and 4 may be altered in various respects. It is onlynecessary that the locking devices are designed to be capable ofperforming the aforedescribed functions.

Figs. 1 and 2 finally show an ejection hole 48 through the bottom wallof jacket part 3. This ejection hole leads to a deflector chute 49 andserves to direct a cartridge case 29 leaving cradle like extension 20away from the gun.

The loading tray arrangement as hereinbefore described, operates asfollows:

Let it be assumed that the loading tray is in the position of Fig. 1,that a shell has been inserted in the loading tray and that the shellhas been rammed. When the gun is fired, barrel 1 and breach ring 19 willrecoil, that is, move towards the right as seen in Fig. 1, relative tothe jacket. As a result, 'roller 23 and with it arm 24 will ride alongcam way 22 moving in unison with the breech ring. The rotation of arm 24will pivot through arm 26 tray 13 into the loading position of Fig. 2thereby also causing tension of spring 11. Furthermore, lever 45 isreleased from release bar 47 and moved by spring 44 into the position ofFig. 4. When the loading tray reaches the position of Fig. 2 it isretained in this position by the locking device of Fig. 3 against theaction of the tensioned spring 11 which seeks to return the tray intothe ramming position.

The loading tray is now ready for a loading operation. When a shell isinserted in the tray, the locking device of Fig. 3 is released byengagement of the respective arm of bell'crank 35 with the cartridgecase. Furthermore, catch 39 engages the rearward edge of the rim of thecartridge case and lever 45 the forward edge of this rim therebysecuring the shell against axial displacement in either direction. Theslanted edge of nose 39 permits passage of the cartridge rim against theaction of spring 41.

The loading tray being released, the tensioned springwill return thetray into the ramming position whereby bar 47 comes in contact withlever 45 and pivots the lever out of engagement with the cartridge rirn.The new shell is now ready for ramming and subsequent firing. Aspreviously mentioned, the cartridge case of a fired shell leaves jacketthrough cut-out 27, cradle like extension 20, ejection hole 48 anddeflector chute 49.

Further to facilitate the ejection of a cartridge case from the jacket,an upper deflector may be provided. This deflector is shown in Figs. and6 in form of an upside down chute 50. It extends laterally from thetray, or more specifically from jacket sleeve 12 and is in alignmentwith the axis of the barrel and cradle like extension 20 when theloading tray is in the loading position. 7

'Figs'. 7 and 8 show a design in which the fixed upper deflector ofFigs. and 6 is replaced by a movable upper deflector. According to thesefigures, an upside-down deflector chute is pivoted by means of pivotpins or a pivot shaft 57 to cars or lugs 56 extending from jacket part3. The depending side walls of the chute are longitudinally slotted at54. Guide pins or a guide shaft 53 on arms 51 and 52 extending fromcradle like extension 20 are slidably guided in slots 54.

As is apparent from Figs. 7 and 8, the recoil of the barrel pivots chute55 from the shallow position of Fig. 7 into the steep position of Fig. 8in which the chute forms a downwardiy directed continuation of theejection path provided by cradle like extension 20 and cut-out 27.

It is further possible to arrange an upper deflector so that its far endis pivotally supported by arms 51 and 52 and its near end bears againstthe bottom of extension when tray 33 is in the ramming position ofFig. 1. Upon movement of the tray into the position of Fig. 2, the nearpart of the deflector will be raised into alignment with cutout 27 in amanner similar as has been described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certainnow preferred examples and embodiments of the invention it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art after understanding theinvention, that various changes and modifications may be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it isintended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in theappended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a gun having a recoiling longitudinal barrel with a. breech on oneend and pivotal about a relatively fixed axis, a jacket slidably housingthe breech end of the barrel and mounting means including a relativelystationary transverse axis pivotally supporting said jacket forelevating and depressing the gun barrel, the combination with a loadingtray arrangement comprising a loading tray hav-v ing a transverse centeraxis, said loading tray being pivotally supported for rotation aboutsaid transverse center axis, said axis being disposed within the planeof the elevational movement of said barrel and intersecting the pivotaxis of the barrel, whereby said tray is pivotally supported formovement about its transverse center was between a ramming positionsubstantially in register with the longitudinal axis of the barrel andthe loading position substantially coaxial with the pivot axis of thebarrel, guide means supported tor movement in unison with the recoilmovement of the barrel operatively coupled with said loading tray foreffecting pivotal movement of said tray from its ramming position intosaid loading position in response to the recoil movement of the barrel,and yield.

able means operatively connected with said loadin tray. said yieldablemeans being tensioned by the pivotal move ment of the loading tray intoits loading position to returr the tray, to its ramming position, saidguide means including a camming surface on a gun part recoilingtogether. with the barrel and a cam structure riding on said cammingsurface and operatively connected with the loading,

tray for pivoting the latter from its ramming position into its loadingposition upon recoil of the barrel.

-2. In a gun having a reco-iling longitudinal barrel Wiih a breech onone end and pivotal about a relatively fixed axis, a jacket slidablyhousing the breech {end of the barrel and mounting means including arelatively stationary transverse axis pivotally supporting said jacketfor eleramming position substantially in register with'the longitudinalaxis of the barrel and the loading position substantially coaxial withthe pivot axis of the barrel, guide means supported for movement inunison with the recoil movement of the barrel operatively coupled withsaid loading tray for effecting pivotal movement of said tray from itsramming position into said loading position in response to the recoilmovement of the barrel, yieldable means operatively connected with saidloading tray, said yieldable means being tensioned by the pivotalmovement of the loading tray into its loading position to return thetray to its ramming position, cartridge deflecting means pivoted to saidjacket, and second guide means coupling a recoil part of the gun withsaid deflecting means for pivoting the latter relative to the loadingtray by the recoil of the barrel, said tray having in its wall a cutoutforming together with said deflecting means in the load- 15 2,655,079

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,483,837 Nettles Oct. 4, 1949 2,592,790 Brereton Apr. 15, 19522,624,241 Hill Jan. 6, 1953 2,649,840 Davidson Aug. 25, 1953 Aldrin etal Oct. 13, 1953

